Virginia Interscholastic Association

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The Virginia Interscholastic Association was an educational and extracurricular organization formed in 1954 by African American secondary school principals and administrators to provide African American high school students in Virginia with athletic, artistic, academic, and leadership opportunities unavailable to them in segregated schools.[1] From April 1954 to August 1969,[2] over 100 schools participated with the VIA and approximately 40,000 students became members of the organization. Once defunded, the VIA merged with the Virginia High School League (VHSL).[3] The distinguished alumni of the VIA include Mary Winston Jackson, one of the three women featured in the book Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly and the film of the same title,[4] tennis champion Arthur Ashe,[5] and basketball’s Bobby Dandridge. [6] The VIA served schools that were seen as a "beacon of hope" by many students. [7]

History[edit]

Formation[edit]

During a summer conference at Hampton University in 1952, high school principals in Virginia discussed the lack of funding in African American high schools and proposed an organization that would coordinate statewide activities for African American high school students.[8] On April 20, 1954, the VIA was established with the help of a group of African American high school principals in Virginia, Virginia State University, the Department of Education, and the General Assembly of Virginia which funded staff training for teachers and coaches at the request of Virginia State University.[9]

Administration[edit]

The VIA’s Executive Committee “administered activities, schedules, conferences, competitions and appointments. This body consisted of ‘(a) the three groups of member schools; (b) two representatives from the State Department of Education; (c) one member representing Virginia State College; (d) one junior high school representative (Womble).’”[10] A guidance counselor was made available to VIA members to assist them with their socioemotional and academic needs. The coordinated efforts of Virginia State University staff, teachers, coaches, the Department of Education and parents can be attributed with the success of the VIA.[10]

Hall of Fame[edit]

Each year the VIA Heritage Association inducts members to the hall of fame. In 2016, Olympic gold medalist Benita Fitzgerald Mosley was selected.[11] In 2022, seven members were inducted.[12]

Archives[edit]

In May of 2023, Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss made a donation to Teaching for Change to digitize the archives at Virginia State University. [13]

Programs[edit]

The VIA organized and administered academics, associations, arts, and athletics programs for its student members.

Academics[edit]

African American high school students participated in academic competitions in mathematics and science, specifically algebra, chemistry, physics, and biology. Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, Hampton, and St. Paul’s College rotated hosting these academic competitions where students completed tests and quizzes. Students had to qualify for these competitions through an often rigorous process.[14]

Associations[edit]

The VIA also granted African American high school students leadership opportunities with Student Council, National Honor Society, and Student Participation Association. These leadership associations carved space for VIA members to learn and hone their leadership skills in a time of oppression and discrimination.[15]

Arts[edit]

In addition to academic and leadership opportunities, the VIA dedicated many of its resources to its arts and athletics programs. VIA members participated and performed in choir, music, and drama competitions and festivals at Virginia State University. Thousands of spectators attended these events where students were judged and awarded for their performances. Member schools often hosted theatrical performances as well.[16]

Athletics[edit]

Through its network of member schools, the VIA created opportunities for African American high school students to compete in football, basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, and track and field. Through its partnerships with Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, Hampton, and St. Paul’s College, the VIA helped African American high school students compete at the collegiate level. Collis_P._Huntington_High_School, for example, won sixteen Virginia Interscholastic Association eastern District titles and seven VIA state championships under coach Thad Madden from 1943 through 1971. Some of the most accomplished athletes in Virginia were members of the VIA. Renowned American tennis player Arthur Ashe (Maggie L. Walker High School) was a member of the VIA.[17]

Member Schools[edit]

City or Town School Principal Coach Group
Blairs Southside W.S. Turner James Earley Group 1
Charlottsville Jackson Burley E.G. Mobley Robert S. Smith Group 1
Clarksville West End Mrs. D.J. Harris Lewis Mardhall Group 1
Danville John M. Langston John Byrd, Jr. Howard Allen Group 1
Hailfax Halifax County Trg. W.C. Edwards C. H. Cage Group 1
Hampton George P. Phenix G.W. Stevenson S.A. Booker Group 1
Lawrenceville James Solomon russell H.L. Giles D. F. Thompson Group 1
Lynchburg Dunbar C.W. Seay Harry Waters Group 1
Norfolk Booker T. Washington Winston Douglas J. Christian Group 1
Norfolk Crestwood C.A. Wood R.M. Andrews Group 1
Newport News Huntington W.D. Scales F.L. Travis Group 1
Petersburg Peabody Clyde S. Scott J.S. Burton Group 1
Portsmouth I.C. Norcom W.E. Waters R.T. Smith Group 1
Rapidan George W. Carver Reg. H.S. Fleshmon UNKNOWN Group 1
Richmond Armstrong G. Peterson, Jr. M.C. Robinson Group 1
Richmond Maggie L. Walker G.W. Liverpool A.L. Gardner Group 1
Roanoke Lucy Addison E.L. Phillips C.L. Price Group 1
Rock Castle St. Emma Military Acad. Rev. A.O’Rourke W. Clark, Sr. Group 1
Suffolk East Suffolk W.L. Turner B.L. Davis Group 1
Warwick George W. Carver Homer Hines W.I. Travis Group 1
Accomac Mary N. Smith F.L. Joynes J.H. Parsons Group 2
Alexandria Parker-Gray W.H. Pitts Louis Johnson Group 2
Amelia Russell Grove W.M. Green A.L. Saunders Group 2
Arlington Hoffman-Boston G.M. Richardson R.J. Griffin Group 2
Ashland John M. Gandy Mrs. E.D. bundy G.W. Quarles Group 2
Bedford Sussie Gibson J.I. Jones Peyton Otey Group 2
Beverlyville Julius Rosenwald J.A. Bennett UNKNOWN Group 2
Bowling Green Union G.B. Ruffin A.E. Love Group 2
Cambria Christiansburg Inst. J.F. Banks T.R. Sease Group 2
Charlotte Central G.H. Binford L.S. Oxendine Group 2
Chester Carver W.A. Brown B.Hayes, Jr. Group 2
Courtland Southampton Co. Trg. C.W. Womble Cohen Cosby Group 2
Dendron L.P. Jackson B.T. Potent UNKNOWN Group 2
Dillwyn Carter G. Woodson G.F. Harris A.D. Wilson Group 2
Dinwiddie Southside R.W. Watson W.H. Morgan Group 2
Disputanta Disputanta Training W.H. Gillard G.J. Hayes Group 2
Emporia Edward W. Wyatt F.H. Smith W.C. Washington Group 2
Farmville Robert R. Moton S.F. Griffin W.H. Truman Group 2
Fieldale George W. Carver N.E. Johnson Reginald Leo Group 2
Franklin Hayden S.P. Morton Leon Armstead Group 2
Fredericksburg Walker-Grant J.G. Johnson P.H. Gunning Group 2
Glen Allen Virginia Randoplh U.C. Oliver M.L. Glover Group 2
Gretna Northside Albert G. Tippitt B.L. Dix Group 2
Louisa A.G. Richardson R.E. Phanelson C.L. Conyors Group 2
Machipongo Northampton County W.H. Smith B.E. Moss Group 2
Manassas Manassas Regional C.N. Bennett P.W. Ellis Group 2
Martinsville Albert Harris J.E. Turner R.M. Cole Group 2
Merrifield Luther P. Jackson T.M. Williams G.W. Felton Group 2
Norfolk Princess Anne Co. Trg. J.V. Boykin Judge Goss Group 2
Nottoway L.H. Foster J.B. Woodson D.L. Maynard Group 2
Portsmouth Our Lady of Victory A.F. Pereira UNKNOWN Group 2
Roanes Thomas C. Walker H.E. Johnson W.J. Whitehead Group 2
Rocky Mount Franklin Co. Trg. C.L. Atkins S.M. Hawkins Group 2
Rustburg Cambell County O.J. Duncan, Jr. H.F. Pettiford Group 2
Ruthville Ruthville E.E. Scott E.E. Scott Group 2
Salem Carver C.D. Harmon I. Cannaday Group 2
Shipman Nelson County Trg. R.M. Thompson UNKNOWN Group 2
Snell John J. Wright A.L. Scott M. Morbrey Group 2
Smithfield Isle of Wight Trg. C.M. Gillis M. Law Group 2
South Hill East End E.N. Taliaforro O.L. Sherill, Jr. Group 2
South Norfolk George W. Carver C.S. Brabble P.E. Parham Group 2
Suffolk Booker T. Washington J.F. Peele, Jr. L. Dunovant Group 2
Templeman A.T. Johnson L.A. Richardson J.A. Thompkins Group 2
Vitoria Lunenburg K.P. Evans C.M. Jones Group 2
Warrenton William C. Taylor C.P. hazzard C.I. Craig Group 2
Waverly Sussex Co. Trg. J.I. Bridgers C.D. Jackson Group 2
Williamsburg Bruton Heights D.J. Montague Ruell Blair Group 2
Appomattox Carver-Price Richard Patrick N.H. Miller Group 3
Barryville Johnson-Williams L.D. Harding L.D. Harding Group 3
Bluefield Tazewell County J.A. Hubbard E.R. Coleman Group 3
Clifton Forge Jefferson W.C. Hill UNKNOWN Group 3
Covington Watson C.G. Brown UNKNOWN Group 3
Cumberland Luther P. Jackson J.B. Pervell UNKNOWN Group 3
Edge Hill Ralphe Bunche L.C. Bland T.R. Butler Group 3
Harrisonburg Lucy F. Simms A.M. Stitt B.M. Hinton Group 3
Kolland Nasemond County H.E. Howell E.C. Richards Group 3
Hopewell Carter G. Woodson B.F. Epps R.J. Haynes Group 3
Irwin Central C.A. Pennington M.N. Lewis Group 3
King and Queen King and Queen Central G.W. Robinson B.D. Jones Group 3
King William Hamilton-Holmes S.D. Womack H.A. Townes Group 3
Leesburg Douglas S.M. Sydnow UNKNOWN Group 3
Lexington Lylburn Downing U.B. Broadneaux G.C. Singfield Group 3
Luray Andrew Jackson, Jr. S.H. Dodson Kirk N. Gaskin Group 3
Mathews Thomas Hunter J.M. Brooks A.R. Cooley Group 3
Norton Southside G.N. Carr UNKNOWN Group 3
Palmyra S.C. Abrams W.E. Friend E.L. Edwards Group 3
Powhatan Pochontas G.W. Ransome E. Finney Group 3
Quinton G.W. Watkins G.W. Watkins UNKNOWN Group 3
Staunton Booker T. Washington A.R. Ware J.D. Hicks Group 3
Stormont St. Clare Walker C.I. Thurston J.D. Madison Group 3
Stuart Patrick Central P.H. Stone. Jr. S.L. Lester Group 3
Tapahannock Essex County P.B. Parks F.P. Holmes Group 3
Warsaw Richmond County W.H. Mackey R.P. Young Group 3
Waynesboro Rosenwald E.G. Wood K. Booker Group 3
White Stone A.T. Wright P.G. Lewis UNKNOWN Group 3
Winchester Douglas K.N. Gaskins E.K. Barksdale Group 3
Yorktown James Weldon Johnson R.L. Rice W.M. Wallace Group 3

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Shining a Light on History: Black High Schools in Virginia". Trinity Washington University. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  2. ^ "Virginia Intercollegiate Association papers 1954-1969 | H-Net". networks.h-net.org. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  3. ^ "History". Southeastern Football Officials Association. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  4. ^ "Distinguished Alumni". The George P. Phenix High School Story. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  5. ^ "Local legends Arthur Ashe and Willie Lanier bound for VIA Hall of Fame". richmondfreepress.com. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  6. ^ Marsh, Rachel (2019-06-18). "1969 in Sports: Locals Gone Pro & National News | BoomerMagazine.com". BOOMER Magazine. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  7. ^ "A BEACON OF HOPE". www.qgdigitalpublishing.com. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  8. ^ "Virginia Intercollegiate Association papers 1954-1969 | H-Sport | H-Net". networks.h-net.org. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  9. ^ "A Guide to the Virginia Intercollegiate Association Papers 1954-1969 Association, Intercollegiate Virginia 1969-37". ead.lib.virginia.edu. Retrieved 2022-05-31.
  10. ^ a b "Administration". Story of the Virginia Interscholastic Association (VIA). Retrieved 2022-05-31.
  11. ^ VHSL (15 January 2016). "Benita Fitzgerald Mosley selected to inaugural VIAHA Hall of Fame class". INSIDENOVA.COM. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  12. ^ "VIAHA 2022 to induct new members". richmondfreepress.com. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  13. ^ Thompson, Cameron (2023-06-03). "How donation from 2 tennis legends is preserving chapter of Virginia history". CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  14. ^ "Academics". Story of the Virginia Interscholastic Association (VIA). Retrieved 2022-05-31.
  15. ^ "Associations". Story of the Virginia Interscholastic Association (VIA). Retrieved 2022-05-31.
  16. ^ "Arts". Story of the Virginia Interscholastic Association (VIA). Retrieved 2022-05-31.
  17. ^ "THE VIA STORY". The VIA Heritage Association. Retrieved 2022-05-31.

External links[edit]

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